The Pink Mac Archives - Page 10 of 31

BookBook for 13" Macbook (Pro)

It’s been some time since I have seriously blogged here and since I have the day off and nothing to do, I decided that today was as good a day as any to catch you up on my tech acquisitions from the past few months. One of which is the Twelve South BookBook for the 13″ Macbook (Pro). This very unique laptop case has been the primary home of my white 13″ Macbook since I was given it as a present last summer. I had been struggling for some time with the idea of hiding my unused Macbook in plain sight until this nifty case came into my life.

As you can see from these pictures, the BookBook has a beautiful antique suede exterior that truly looks like an antique book, but is strong and sturdy, providing great protection for the laptop inside. In contrast, the interior is a beautiful bright red fleece like material that acts as a soft cradle for your laptop, protecting it from scuffs and scratches. One great feature of this case that I like is how it enables you to use your Macbook while it is still completely encased and protected. Now, one comment I feel I must make is that you may notice that on Twelve South’s website that they suggest this case only for the aluminum Macbooks and Pro’s, because they suggest that the red interior may discolor a white Macbook. I, however, decided to disregard this warning and still used the case to protect my Macbook. It has been over 6 months since I began using this case on my Macbook and still it seems that the interior of the case has not discolored the white casing of my Mac. This does not mean that another case may not discolor your white Macbook, as Twelve South probably has good cause for making this suggestion, but in my experience with the case there has been no problem!

Overall, this is a very nice case for those who either enjoy the look and feel of old books, or perhaps need a case that can hide the Macbook in plain sight. It is a bit pricey, starting at $79.99, but at least for me, the price has been worth the quality of protection.

What’s in my bag 2.21.11

Since I am home from work today for the President’s Day Holiday in the U.S., I decided that I should refresh my flickr feed with a new “what in your bag” picture. Since I bought the iPad early last summer, it has pretty much completely replaced my Macbook Pro in day to day use. Since I no longer carry around a full out tech bag, I recently purchased a new spring tote for my lighter tech load. It took me a long time to find a bag that was both fashionable and practical for carrying my expensive toys, but ultimately I ended up choosing this Gia Milani large tote from Target. It was a complete bargain for just $36 and it has a nice sized center zippered compartment that fits my iPad perfectly and makes an inconspicuous hiding spot for it.

Contents (Left to Right, Top to Bottom):

3G iPod in it’s silver business card case

Silver Zebra camera case

Bronze oversized wallet

Bowers & Wilkins P5 Headphones with pillowed carrying case

Blackberry Tour

Baggu in Peacock

Large Ruled Moleskine

16gb Wifi Apple iPad in SGP Argos case

Moleskine The Pink Mac

NaNoWriMo Victory 2010!

Good news everyone! On Tuesday I finally completed NaNoWriMo, hitting the 50k word mark making 2010 another NaNo success for me! I know I was away from the blog for the whole month of November, but I actually found this NaNoWriMo a little more difficult than last years. The novel I wrote this year required so much more research than my prior year’s novel and it ended up taking up much of my time just figuring out all the specifics I needed to get my story rolling in certain parts.

This NaNoWriMo, however, was not a complete success for me 🙁 I actually ended up giving up on attempting to write the novel on my iPad a few days into the project. It really wasn’t the iPad’s fault fully. I was having no trouble with the data input, but the issue I had was that I love Scrivener and I wanted to continuously update my novel to a Scrivener file I had created for it and the going back and forth teased me with all the great functions Scrivener has to offer and I ended up forgoing the iPad so that I could write my novel with the Scrivener app. I actually fully attribute my two NaNoWriMo wins to Scrivener because it makes it so easy to write and keep track of your text and your research that it seems silly not to use the program. I really wish that Scrivener would develop an app for the iPad, but I believe Literature & Latte has already come out saying they have no plans to create such an app. Pity, because I have been looking for an Scrivener like substitute to write on my iPad on the go, but nothing seems to be as functional as the true Scrivener application so I have been disappointed each time.

In defense of the iPad as a writing tool, I did find it very useful when I was writing and during my off time when I was researching because it was like having a second computer screen that I could pull up information in. I would frequently find myself sitting with my iPad and my moleskine notebook writing down details for the book that I found online. I also started using the application DropBox for syncing of documents between my iPad and Macbook Pro. My DropBox account served as a backup system for my Scrivener file for the book which was great because I could pull up the document on the iPad and review sections when I wasn’t writing or at my Macbook.

Overall, although this NaNoWriMo was more of a challenge for me, I ended up learning alot and finding some great little tricks for my iPad. I still believe the iPad is a great aid for writers on both short and long form projects, but until the right applications are created that cater to it’s strong points I will have to stick to Scrivener on my Macbook, but I’m okay with that 🙂

The Pink Mac

NaNoWriMo 2010 and the Quest for the iPad Novel

Well, it’s about mid October now and you know what that means? November and NaNoWriMo are right around the corner. In a few short weeks I will once again embark on a quest to write a 50k+ word novel within the month of November, but this year I have added a bit of a caveat in the mix. I plan to write the novel on my iPad.

Why, you may be asking yourself? Well, because one of my major goals for the iPad (yes, I have goals for my electronics) is that it become a super portable writers desk of sorts. So, the best way to put my goal into motion is to actually attempt to write something substantial on it, and NaNoWriMo is the perfect opportunity. I have been mentally psyched for NaNo ’10 since I finished my last novel in late November 2009 so I think that excitement and energy will help me tremendously with the slightly daunting task of writing a complete novel on an iPad. Obviously, the iPad is a decent word processor, so it’s not an impossible feat, but I believe that the lack of a physical keyboard and even the use of the bluetooth Apple keyboard at times will be a major test of not only what the iPad is capable of in terms of extended writing sessions, but also how it can fare as a tool to keep a writer on track through the use of brainstorming apps, note taking, and reference.

Currently, I am researching useful applications for the task; software that will help me keep my ideas flowing but also give me the ability to quickly multi task when necessary. {Any suggestions on apps would be helpful and appreciated!} Of course I will be attempting to chronicle my NaNoWriMo + iPad adventure here on The Pink Mac- you guys will keep me motivated and accountable! It will be an attempt because, lets face it, it’s difficult enough to write 50k+ words in a month without adding blogging into the mix, but since this is a subject near and dear to me, I am going to try very hard to get both done!

So, in the meantime, before NaNoWriMo begins, I will give you guys some updates on apps for writers and my general progress preparing for my November challenge! So Stay Tuned!

{Image via here}

Moleskine The Pink Mac

Moleskine Cases for iPad and iPhone to come!

I was so excited when I first saw this yesterday! As you may already know, Moleskine recently released a case line for the Kindle and Kindle DX, but now they are adding to their line iPads and iPhones! This will be the perfect hybrid of Moleskine and iPad and I cannot wait for them to be released. Prices haven’t been announced yet, but since the price of the Kindle DX case is coming in at around $60, I will assume that the iPad case could be no more than $75 dollars. That is quite a hefty price to pay, however, I am sure the die hard Moleskine fans out their will not hesitate to order them once they become available!

I will keep you updated as to my order status!

The Pink Mac

Portenzo Case for Apple iPad.

Above is the video review I recently made for my new Portenzo iPad case, but I have also included a written review with some extra information.

Now, I know there has been a lot of buzz around the Dodo case since it first came out, and I saw it and like most other Moleskine enthusiasts, loved it! However, there were always a few things that kept me from actually purchasing a Dodo case. First of all, I did not like the red interior of the Dodo case. I would have much rather preferred the interior to be something less bright and flashy like a simple black or a tan or beige interior. The second issue I had was with the Dodo bamboo seat and the way the iPad is fastened into place. The four corner tabs that hold the iPad in have been reportedly having issues which cause the iPad to fall out of place. So, for a case that already offers minimal shock absorption, the last thing I wanted was for my iPad to be unsecure inside it.

So, enter the Portenzo case. This guy has the same styling of the Dodo and reportedly the same homemade in the USA stamp of approval, however, those few issues that kept me from purchasing the Dodo case are elevated in the Portenzo.

First of all, this case has a black interior. Portenzo gives you an option. Since they are handmade one by one, you can pick to have a red or black interior. So, I chose black and I am happy with it! The second element of the Portenzo case that drew me to it was the “Sure Grip” corners in their bamboo seat. Instead of protruding from the top of the case the way the Dodo corners do, these corners sit inside the bamboo casing and to me seemed like a safer option.

So that is an overview of why I Purchased this case, but there are also a few other reasons this case is a unique option.

For one, you can select the exterior leather of the case, either a black morocco (which is similar to the exterior of a moleskine) or a black Levant leather which has more of a grain to it. Portenzo also makes an ostrich leather casing as well as a red exterior notebook case.

Now, something new with Portenzo that was not an option when I made my purchase is a stylus loop with a space cut out from the bamboo so that you can keep a stylus in your notebook. A cute and useful idea for anyone who regularly uses a stylus with their iPad. I for one am not one of those people, but it’s nice to get the option.

So, let’s discuss the quality of this case as a protection option for the iPad. As you can see, this case is comprised of a hardcover and a bamboo seat to hold the device in place. Nowhere is their padding and nowhere is their plastic or waterproof materials. This case is as delicate as a book, and therefore this is NOT the case to let your toddler interact with the iPad through, and for that matter, if you yourself are a klutzy or device dropper, this is also not the case for you. This case and others like it will not survive a fall unless your dropping it on a mattress. Bamboo splits, leather rips and your ipad could very well end up in pieces if you do not show this case as much care as you would a naked iPad. But, that being said, if you are an adult or young adult who is careful and respectful of your devices, this case offers plenty of iPad protection and may very well be the case for you.

So, what sort of protection does this case offer if it’s not padded or waterproof? Well, since this is a book style case, you clearly have screen protection, and speaking for the Portenzo case alone here, this is some decent screen protection, perhaps among the best you will find out there. Short of keeping your iPad in a titanium shell, your screen will not see better protection from any other mainstream iPad case currently manufactured. Next, you have nearly full body scratch protection. Something that differs between the Portenzo and Dodo case is that the Portenzo case covers around most of your ipad so that only the ports and switches are visible. The dodo case’s seat exposes more of the iPad’s aluminum body which could result in scratching. Finally, the “Sure Grip” corners are exactly what you’d expect. These corners keep the iPad in place, no matter how much I flip the case over or shake it, the iPad is not falling out. It is actually quite a tricky process to even remove the iPad from this case, but once you figure it out you see that the iPad is just soo secure that you know you will not be suffering any accidental detachments of your iPad from the case. The final element of protection that I want to mention is the elastic strap. I couldn’t imagine owning a flip style case for any device that did not incorporate an enclosure to keep the front flap closed, however, I have seen flip cases without such methods. For me, I think, what is the point of a flip cover if you can’t keep it closed? Well, there is no point to that, which is why I love the elastic closure of the Portenzo case. Not only does it keep the front cover down while the ipad is not in use, but you can flip the cover back and use the elastic to hold the cover down while you are enjoying your iPad.

So, what are the other features of this case? There aren’t many other features, but there are one or two I will mention. You can flip the front flap back while resting your ipad on a surface and it will create a slight angle that is useful for typing. You can also stand your ipad in landscape or portrait mode on its own for watching movies or reading, however, if you are using the ipad in landscape and placing it on a slick surface you will want to put something behind the flap of the case to keep the case from slipping down.

So, that is the Portenzo Notebook case for the iPad! If you have any questions, please let me know and I will try to address as many as I can. This case retails for $59.99 with a special offer of free shipping for a limited time.

lifestyle The Pink Mac

Why I Give Up on Rumors

For a long time, like many others I was excited to hear all the new Apple rumors about the next big thing or the newest update or the list of adjectives Steve Jobs would use in his next exciting and revolutionary Keynote. But after many many many disappointments I am about to give up. The iPhone 4G, HD, or whatever other name it it is rumored to be will not be coming to Verizon this summer, or this fall, or possibly ever despite the nearly 10 million search results for a CDMA enabled iPhone. The iPad did not have a camera and multitasking at launch and the list of Apple rumors goes on.

The only time a ‘rumor’ was ever confirmed was earlier this year when Gizmodo got their hands on an actual iPhone 4 hidden within the casing of an iPhone 3G. Although we learned alot about the new iPhone’s body style and potential cameras, the biggest thing we learned from the inoperable device is that Apple does not “do” leaks and will stop at nothing to squash anyone who talks about an actual Apple device before it’s release.

(Getting your house raided isn’t a strong incentive to screw around with Apple)

But this newest rumor I have just heard takes the cake. Despite being released a mere six months ago, the iPad 2 is supposedly going to be released by Apple…. this Christmas. This AppleInsider article does what the rumors always do – cite “someone close” on the inside of Apple with a supposed leak of the inner workings at 1 Infinite Loop. No. Not happening. It doesn’t take an Apple Genius to realize that Apple has a set release cycle. Just a few days ago Apple held its music-fest where every year in September they update their iTunes and iPod line up. Soon we will have the iMac and MacBook event, and next summer we will have the iPhone event. Eac event is huge for Apple, not just to show off their shiny new objects but also to boost their stock. Yes, nothing makes more money for Apple having seeing Steve Jobs talk for 2 hours at an annually anticilated event. Not to mention it gets Apple in the news and talked about like no other tech company in the world!

So in order for the iPad 2 to get an early release date, Apple would need to completely change their yearly update cycle. The iPad is a device between a smart phone and a laptop, so Apple clearly can’t show it off with laptops in October, so it would need its own event. Not to mention Apple has to remember the issue it caused by lowering prices on the original iPhone only a few months after it released. Remember the outrage? Try having a few million Macheads freaking out that their 6 month old device is out of date.

(Just in time – the new iTorch!)

So that does it for me because this is just too ridiculous of an idea. No more falling for these teaser and hushed whispers from the depths of Cupertino. I’ll just wait for Steve to put on his jeans and a black turtleneck and say “one more thing.”

The Pink Mac

BookBook for iPad

I have been waiting for a couple of months for the BookBook for iPad to arrive, and finally, this morning, I recieved an email from TwelveSouth revealing their newest case solution. As someone who owns a BookBook for the 13″ Macbook, I was interested in seeing what this case would look like for an iPad, and as I had guessed, it is a smaller version of their Macbook cases. At $69.99, this case is actually very reasonably priced when you consider the materials and the craftsmanship that went into making it. In fact, I think many people are going to be drawn to this case because it fulfills multiple roles. For one, it provides a pretty high level of protection to the iPad with the thick leather exterior and the zipper enclosure, ensuring that your device is going to be safe through the wear and tear of day to day use. The case is also great for masking the iPad. We know that iPad users are targets of theft because of the high visibility of the device, but a case like this really does a great job of hiding the iPad in plain sight. Finally, this case also solves the problem of how to hold the iPad, which for each person is different, but with a case like this, their is a good chance that the user will find a comfortable position when using the device.

Now, as much as I believe this case has a number of positive points, I have a feeling it has a few negatives as well. From my experience with the BookBook for Macbook, I know that the leather materials, while they are very durable and luxurious, are also very heavy. So, this case is going to add weight to the iPad. How much? I am not quite sure and I can’t seem to find a weight on the website, but I am thinking the device may double in weight with this case. The second problem I see with this case is that the method for securing the iPad in place is more complex then it needs to be. As you can tell in the images of this case, the bottom corners of the iPad are held in place by what seem to be very sturdy holsters, however, the top of the iPad is secured only by a thin strap of elastic. Now, I would feel much better if the design of the holster was more uniform and just used those four corner stirrups, instead of a mixed approach. Not only does it make the case look cheaply or hastily made, but the elastic on the top looks like it could get in the way of using the device as it will stop your finger from scrolling across the screen rather abruptly. The final drawback to this case is that the outer materials, as far as I can tell, are not weather/ wear and tear resistant. The exterior leather, while thick and luxurious, is delicate, showing scratches and scuffs easily, so this case is definitely one that would require a delicate lifestyle in order to keep up its beauty. My BookBook for Macbook is actually used as more of a showpiece and hiding spot for my 13″ Macbook that gets very little use since I upgraded to a Macbook Pro last year. I would certainly not want to use the case too often outside of the house, or as a day to day case because I don’t want to diminish it’s quality. Of course, with an iPad sized case, you may be able to better protect the case itself while you are out and about, since you could hold it, or tuck it away in a bag or under a jacket if it began to rain, ect.

Overall, I am very excited about this new iPad case. Despite the few drawbacks I mentioned, I am sure it is going to become a very popular case. The style certainly draws upon the nature of the iPad as an eReader, but is also timeless enough to be used by non book lovers as well. Not to mention, I think we all like a good digital vs analog paradox. So, let me know what you think? Is this a case you are interested in for your iPad, or perhaps you see other drawbacks to this case that I haven’t realized? Let me know!

The Pink Mac

Clear iSpot in Action

Using my new Clear iSpot at work today with my iPad. It is actually pretty fast here, despite having only a mid level signal. Although I don’t get good reception with it at my apartment, this will really come in handy at work and while I am out and about. Stay tuned for a full review of the product coming soon!

lifestyle Solutions The Pink Mac

Back to School Tech Tips

With the end of summer nearly upon us, these next few weeks of August will see college and high school students on their way back to the daily grind of classes and coursework. If you are one of the many students heading back to the classroom, you may be in the market for some new tech gear. The start of a new school year has always been ceremoniously entangled with the concept of the “new,” and the prospect of new gadgets can always make for an exciting start. However, if you are one of the many students who will be dragging around an old laptop or iPod, don’t worry, because I have some tips for making your old tech feel new again to get you pumped for your upcoming semester.

Add a little spring to your gadget’s step

Although your laptop may be well equipped with a fast processor and a large hard drive, it may not be as snappy as it once was. This is a common issue with computers in general, but luckily it is an easy issue to fix as it is most likely related to a clogged hard drive. Months or years of accumulating files and viewing web pages can cause your computer to run significantly slower, so to fix the problem, you will need to start cleaning out your files.

1. Start by going through your documents, pictures, music and movie files and getting rid of any files you no longer need. For files you don’t use but need to keep record of, move those to an external hard drive to free up space.

2. Next, try clearing your web browser’s cache. This will take care of old web page information that is stored on your computer and eating up memory. To do this, go to your browser’s preferences or settings and look for the option.

3. Finally, delete unused applications. To do this on a Mac, you simply need to drag the application to the trash can, however, to insure you have removed all the sub files of the application from your hard drive, I suggest downloading an application such as AppCleaner or AppDelete to help you remove all associated files. On a PC, use the application uninstaller in your Control Panel found in ‘Add or Remove Programs’.

4. For an iPod that is beginning to lag, I suggest that you do a factory reset of your device, then, make sure you have the most up to date firmware installed, before restocking your device with new tunes and videos for the school year. Although iPods tend to have a shorter lifespan than laptops, with proper care and maintenance, you can keep yours up and running for a long time. (I still have an iPod Mini from early 2005 in good working condition.)

Give your gear a bath

Although they are electronic devices, computers and mp3 players still need proper cleaning from time to time to keep them not only looking good, but also working well. When dirt or dust gets inside a gadget, it can start causing issues like overheating and lagging that shorten the life of the device. So, a regular cleaning is always a good idea.

1. The first thing to remember before you begin to clean any electronic device is that you must turn the device off. Skipping this step could cause major harm to yourself or the device. So, power down and unplug all wires.

2. I tend to begin cleaning my laptops keyboard area first. This is usually a source of much dust and dirt that should be cleared out of the way first. Use a can of compressed air, or, if you know how to remove your keys individually, do so slowly and carefully. I like to use q tips to get into the nooks and crannies of the keyboard, myself.

3. Next, clean off the casing. Depending on the outer material of your laptop, either plastic or metal, you may want to use a dedicated electronics cleaner like iKlear, but I find that soap and water or antibacterial wipes do a universally good job. If you are using soap and water, just make sure that you only slightly dampen the towel you are using to make sure you don’t get liquid into the delicate parts of your computer.

4. Finally, clean the screen of your computer with an appropriate cleanser. To be prudent, I would check with the manufacture of the computer to see what solvents are safe to use on the computers screen. Although Windex is always a safe bet, you may prefer to use electronic screen wipes or another popular brand of computer screen cleaner if your screen has any sort of sensitive coating.

5. Follow a similar method to clean an iPod or mp3 player, making sure to also clean your earbuds with a q tip or cotton ball slightly moistened with alcohol to remove bacteria.

Update your electronic wardrobe

You’re not the only one who could benefit from a wardrobe upgrade for the new school year. A great way to make your old tech feel new again is with some upgraded cases, covers, and skins. There are a wide variety of retailers that sell these items, most specified to the specific device you own, so I will not list them here, but I will say that a new sleeve for your laptop, or a new case for your iPod can be an inexpensive way to add excitement and interest back to your gear. Not to mention upgrading the protection will extend the life of your device!